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 Kirsten H. Koch
June 15, 2002
Kirsten H. "Kitty" Koch, 77, of 333 East New Lenox Road died Saturday at Berkshire Medical Center.
Born in Carbondale, Pa., on May 21, 1925, daughter of Lorentz W. and Inger Kjartinge Hinrichsen, she moved to New Jersey as a child and was a graduate of Highland Park High School and a 1947 graduate of New Jersey College for Women in New Bruns-wick, where she received a degree in library science. She moved to Pittsfield in 1949.
Most of Mrs. Koch's career was spent doing volunteer work. She was briefly employed at the Berkshire Athenaeum and at Berkshire Life Insurance Co.
For more than 50 years, she was a member of First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was active on many of its committees. She was past president and a district officer, as well as a representative for the church at the annual Conference of the United Methodist Women, which honored her with a special recognition pin in 1974. She was the program resource person on the executive board for many years and, most recently, the representative to Church Women United.
Mrs. Koch also led the Ruth-Miriam Circle for many years, was an active member of the Naomi Circle, worked for the spring luncheons and was in charge of the Thursday food preparations.
In 1979, she was awarded the Valiant Woman Award by the National Board of Church Women United for her work on the local board, where she served as president for six years, and was celebrations chairwoman, corresponding secretary and third vice president of the state board.
A life member of the Girls Scouts of America and a troop leader for more than 40 years, she also served as neighborhood chairwoman from 1969 to 1975, was past president of the Western Massachusetts Girl Scout Council, and was a Pittsfield representative to the council and member of the nominating committee.
In 1973, she was named the Berkshire County United Way Volunteer of the Year.
She and her husband, Robert E. Koch, were married March 20, 1948.
Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Robert F. Koch of Garland, Texas, and John F. Koch of New Ashford; a daughter, Margaret K. Koch of Atlanta; a brother, Lorentz Hinrichsen of Brenton Woods, N.J., and two grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Wednesday at 10 at First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield by the Rev. Dr. Roger Davis, pastor. Following cremation, her ashes will be placed in the church columbarium. Calling hours will be tomorrow, June 18, from 5 to 8 at WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME. Among survivors are her grandchildren, Christopher Robert Koch and Annie Marina Koch. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
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